He previously played for the Newcastle Knights in the NRL, and the Huddersfield Giants, the London Broncos and the Salford Red Devils in the Super League.

[11] Yates only managed to play 6 NRL matches for the Newcastle club in 2018 before parting ways at the end of the season.

[citation needed] After being relegated from the Super League on points difference, he left the club at the end of his contract.

[17] Yates played 24 matches for Huddersfield in the 2023 Super League season as the club finished ninth on the table and missed the playoffs.

[19] On 15 July 2024 it was reported that he had signed for Warrington Wolves in the Super League initially on loan until the end of the 2024 season, and then a permanent two-year deal thereafter.